It's hard to believe, but with Halloween in the rearview mirror, we have officially entered the year-end holiday season when many of us will be busy shopping for gifts, planning family gatherings and preparing to travel to be with our loved ones. Most of these activities, of course, will involve being in crowded spaces from stores to airports. That’s why it’s important that we remain vigilant about the ever-present respiratory viruses circulating among us, including COVID-19, RSV and the flu, and stay up-to-date on our vaccinations.

While it is too early to know how this season’s flu will play out, we do know that COVID-19 is still with us, continues to evolve and can be a serious danger to many, particularly seniors and immunocompromised individuals. As documented by the Florida Department of Health, there have been more than 400,000 cases of COVID-19 so far this year in the Sunshine State — more than 26,000 of which were recorded in Orange County. Just as we have seen in previous years, the number of infections, hospitalizations and, unfortunately, deaths related to COVID-19 tend to tick upward during this time of year when people gather and head indoors.

As the COVID-19 virus and its variants continue to evolve, the CDC and local health experts in respiratory diseases recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. This will ensure optimal protection from serious illness and hospitalization associated with COVID-19 this winter as new variants may emerge.

In fact, on October 23rd, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued its latest recommendation that people 65 years of age and older as well as those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their first dose. For those who fall within these population groups, remember to mark your calendars for your next COVID-19 vaccine dose six months after receiving your latest dose this fall.

Thanks to advances in vaccine technology, we now have options in choosing between two different formulations of COVID-19 vaccines. These include the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna; and a vaccine developed by Novavax, which is created using a more traditional protein-based technique. The only non-mRNA, protein-based option available in the U.S., Novavax’s vaccine was developed using a technology platform that has been around for decades – and used in other vaccines, including for the flu, whooping cough, and Hepatitis B.

While everyone is advised to speak with their healthcare providers about which vaccine option may be best for their unique health circumstances, as a pharmacist, I can personally attest to the effectiveness of the updated COVID-19 vaccines in protecting people from severe illness, possible hospitalization and the potential for long-lasting COVID-related conditions. It is especially important for seniors and those with underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease or compromised immune systems, to receive this season’s updated COVID-19 vaccine because they are at a higher risk for serious illness and hospitalization.

I also want to acknowledge the impact that COVID-19 has had on men, and strongly encourage them to include getting the updated vaccine as part of their healthcare regimen this fall and winter. Although data suggests men and women contract COVID-19 at about the same rate, the percentage for mortality associated with a severe COVID-19 infection has been higher among men. The reason for this is that men generally have higher rates of underlying medical conditions – contributing to an increased risk of developing a serious (and sometimes fatal) infection from COVID-19. While this historically higher death rate in males is generally attributed to daily health and wellness routines, culture and overall views about health also play a major role. For instance, men are less likely to maintain regular medical check-ups, such as an annual physical, than women.

In many ways, COVID-19 has been a wake-up call for all of us since it first emerged almost five years ago. This is particularly true as it relates to individual health and wellness and preventive care strategies. COVID-19 and its impact on millions has reinforced the importance of maintaining a consistent and balanced wellness routine. This includes maintaining a healthy diet along with regular exercise, staying up-to-date on all appropriate and seasonal vaccines, getting enough sleep, routine medical checkups based on need and age, and prioritizing emotional wellness. Implementing a self-care routine for yourself and encouraging loved ones to do the same is also a great way to maintain the health of your body and mind – something to consider when it’s time to make those New Year’s resolutions for 2025.

As ongoing research is completed and more data is made available, we continue to learn more about the myriad ways in which we can help protect ourselves from serious illness associated with viruses such as COVID-19. The primary method of protection is getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Not only can it help prevent serious illness and hospitalization, but it can also help ensure you don’t miss time at work or miss out on important moments with family and friends, particularly during the upcoming holiday season.

Salvatore J. Giorgianni, Pharm. D., CMHE is a clinical pharmacist and Certified Men’s Health Educator. He is also the Senior Science Advisor of Men’s Health Network, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to generating health awareness and disease prevention among men, boys and their families, and Chair-Emeritus and Co-founder of the American Public Health Association Men’s Health Caucus. He is a former Assistant Professor and Director of Experiential Education and Development at Belmont University’s School of Pharmacy. He resides in Florida.

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¶ We need to think about climate this election

As the election draws closer, we cannot ignore the growing impact of climate change on our communities. Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, along with dozens of wildfires this past summer — they're all clear warning signs of a very real climate crisis.

This issue deserves more attention than it's received so far this election cycle. During the presidential debate, only one brief question was asked about climate at the very end.

The fact is, the climate crisis impacts us all, no matter where we live or how much money we make. Americans are being told to flee their homes and risk losing everything. Meanwhile, Big Oil continues to put profits over people by prioritizing fossil fuels that continue to destroy our environment.

We cannot afford to lose any more time in the fight against the climate crisis. We need leaders — at the federal, state, and local level — who believe in the science of climate change and are willing or can be convinced to take bold action before it's too late. So I urge everyone: When you cast your ballot this November, think of our planet and the people that call it home.

— Brenda Rollins, Orlando

¶ Thanks from afar

I have visited Orlando for past conferences. Recently, I have shared this article from Orlando Weekly widely ("Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to bar state from considering climate change in investments," July 29, 2022).

If you ever might do "looking back" pieces, it could be a good one to include as the climate change hoax is about to hit again. Those who say "it's not the time" are the same ones who say it is not the time to bring up efforts to prevent carnage after the latest mass shooting.

I supported and corresponded with Progress Florida because of it, and recently red an article on the Center for Media and Democracy about [Florida CFO] Jimmy Patronis and the State Financial Officers Foundation. [The article lists many pro-Israel and anti-ESG financial actions Patronis has undertaken in Florida's name.]

I am mystified by the support for these and other MAGA policies that sure seem to be saying, "Hurricanes aren't bad enough yet, let's drill baby drill and make them worse! We may have lost our homes, but gee, we saved a few bucks at the pump for a while ... and hmm, why are those people getting free energy for their cars and homes from the sun so happy?

— Bob Palais, Utah

¶ When Florida goes blue your MAGA uncle will turn red with rage

Florida has more voters who lean Democrat than those who lean Republican. The ace in the hole is NPA (No Party Affiliation) and especially those under 25, who choose the standard Democrat values. [Candidate for HD 37] Nate Douglas can help break the supermajority in Tallahassee that brought you all the most horrendous laws in the country, including discriminatory voter suppression. NPA breaks Democrat, with at least 60 to 40 advantage Democrat. Florida has 3.5 million NPA, with most trending younger.

Why haven't we heard this? That supermajority in Tally used sleight of hand to move mostly Democrats to a special file where they still can vote, they just aren't recorded as registered voters. It is called "inactive." This is then part of the false propaganda that Florida has a red wave. But that advantage still depends on Democrat voting.

We win Florida and that is a landslide for the country.

Can you imagine what your MAGA uncle will do? When Florida goes blue he'll turn red with rage.

— Catherine Hettinger, Winter Park

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